Gender Action Plan Implementation Group: Meeting Notes

3.30 pm, Thursday 1 October 2020 - Microsoft Teams Meeting

In attendance:

Karen Martin (Chairperson)

Maria Bannon

Harry Clarke

Louise Close

James Gilsenan

Gabrielle Kerr

Sebastien Mingout

Roisin Mooney

Raymond Russell

Richard Stewart

Apologies:

Kate McCullough

Lucia Wilson

1. Six-monthly update to SMG

Maria Bannon briefed the group on the forthcoming update to SMG on progress on the Gender Action Plan.  A RaISe briefing note on gender balance in Secretariat decision-making groups will be presented to SMG in the October 2020 update.  The data in the briefing note refers to newly established groups from 2017 onwards:  groups were asked to complete a gender balance checklist when establishing the group and to complete a monitoring form specifying the grade and gender of group members.  The RaISe briefing note will be circulated to the group before the next meeting. 

Maria mentioned a proposal in the SMG paper which aims to build on an action in the Gender Action Plan relating to the collection of data on gender balance in presenting to SMG/Commission.  This action is now complete and the RaISe data analysis report has been published on AssISt.  However, as an ongoing practice arising from this action, SMG is asked to consider emailing heads of business periodically to encourage them to invite team members involved in specific projects and papers to attend SMG alongside them, thereby offering a development opportunity to staff.  SMG will consider this proposal at its October meeting.

2. AOB

Karen Martin said that she had fed back to the Covid-19 response group the issues raised at the Gender Action Group’s June meeting during a discussion on home working.  She said that while working from home was already included in the flexible working policy, consideration was being given to the requirement for a standalone policy. 

Next meeting to be held in December 2020